Need for blood donors at an all-time high

Help Wanted

Central West Virginia Aging Services is hiring caregivers to serve elderly and disabled residents across the state. The nonprofit organization, which has been providing in-home services since 1974, has seven offices throughout West Virginia. Read more →

This story brought to you paywall-free, courtesy of the My Buckhannon team and our community partners

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Blood supplies are at a critical low, and WVU Medicine is urging eligible donors to find a nearby blood drive.

“Blood is a life-saving resource for surgical, trauma, cancer, and other patients,” Michael Edmond, M.D., WVU Medicine chief medical officer, said. “It is a resource that can only be obtained by the selfless act of blood donation. Critically low supply levels like we experience now make it challenging to provide care to those who depend on it.”

According to the American Red Cross, one donation can save up to three lives, and the typical blood transfusion recipient receives three units of blood.

You may be eligible to donate blood if you are in good health and feeling well, are at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have not donated blood in the last 56 days.

“Blood donation only takes a few minutes of your time, but it can make an enormous impact on someone’s life,” Dr. Edmond said. “I strongly encourage everyone to donate blood if they are able.”

Kelley Tierney

A blood drive in Upshur County is scheduled for Friday, February 4. It is sponsored by St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur and will be held at the Event Center at Brushy Fork in Buckhannon.

Find a blood drive near you at Vitalant.org or RedCrossBlood.org.

Local Businesses

St. Joseph's Hospital
Fred Eberle Technical Center

Recent Stories

Morrisey orders flags lowered to honor Dolly Parton

Gov. Patrick Morrisey ordered flags at West Virginia state facilities lowered to half-staff through Sept. 1 to honor Dolly Parton. He praised the late icon’s music, generosity and Imagination Library, which brought free books to children statewide.